Actually, we were celebrating two birthdays, and because of my schedule, the group split, with three going to a place on the Gold Coast first. We later decided to meet at The Promontory in Hyde Park. I like The Promontory. The environment is hip and the decor, sleek and stylishly. The menu is a step beyond the ordinary, and includes a variety of offerings made with hearth roasted game.
While Wendy and I waited for the others to arrive, I was looking around the room and noticed Dr. Cornell West sitting with a small group. For the few who may be unfamiliar with Dr. West, he is a
brilliant man; a true scholar, a philosopher, author, activist, a professor emeritus at Princeton and teacher at Union Theological Seminary in New York. I told Wendy that I used to really admire him (for his thoughts and analysis on race and global matters).
She said that she did too, not so today. We both knew why we no longer viewed Dr. West as we once had. Simply put, despite our appreciation of his keen mind, our politics could no longer allow us to ignore his politics. When our friends arrived, we were seated and enjoyed our night. I have to say, The Promontory makes the best vodka martini (cheese stuffed olives are always a must).
At some point, I noticed that Dr. West and his group were leaving, when a seemingly endless stream of people approached him wanting to take pictures. I don't think this had anything to do with his being in The Matix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolution, after all, we were in Hyde Park, home of the University of Chicago. Dr. West graciously obliged each person, even as his party waited patiently for him. I watch as he posed for pictures and talk briefly with each person. He was very attentive to everyone. After the last photo-seeker has gone, he made his way to the door. I figured that was as good a time as any to request a photo, although he could have said, 'sorry, I have to go'. My hunch was right, he stopped in his tracks and thrust his arm around me, and Wendy snapped a few pictures. Eibur wanted a picture too, and we took a few more.
In thinking about Dr. West from that evening, and reflecting on things that I have read about him, I believe that he is a good man. Now you're saying, "oh, because he took a picture with you?' No. I have had the pleasure and sometimes displeasure of meeting many high profile and or influential people. I've seen them in both public and private settings, and sometimes rudeness is displayed in either setting. But he just seemed to appreciate people for appreciating him.
There are other reasons why I feel this way about him. I believe a lot of people who claim to fight for the people, are manipulators of the people. They talk about the need to close the gap between the haves and the have-nots, and postulate how the one-percenters aren't paying their fair share. All the while, the most prominent of these guardians of the average man, live very privileged lives. Funny how they never tell us that they themselves are the haves, not the have-nots, Funnier still is how they exempt from vilification the one-percenters who happen to bankroll extremists organizations on the far-left.
Dr. West is an unapologetic far-leftist, and that's okay, that's his right. I don't share his positions, but I agree with his core value, that all men are equal (that may seem trite, but lots of people really don't believe that). I believe that he is a man of integrity. He describes himself as a neo-Marxist socialist (West has stated that he can't reconcile Marxism with Christianity. It's also why he wouldn't join the Black Panther Party as a youth), yet he can be a relentless critic of the left. Whether he's criticizing democrats for "race-baiting" in political ads, or admonishing Rev. Al Sharpton for "selling his soul," he demonstrates an independence that is refreshing regardless of one's political leaning. He treads waters that few on the left will, particularly when it comes to President Obama, whom he asserts is a "puppet of Wall Street and of corporate America". West further charges that the president is disingenuous when it comes to blacks and the poor. In speaking of Obama's response to Ferguson, West said, "His words reek of political calculation rather than moral conviction."
Some might say he's just angry and jealous because he hasn't achieved the wealth and influence that others have. Perhaps, but I doubt it. As far as I know, he's not a millionaire--though I'm sure he could become one if that's what he wanted. It seems to me that Dr. West's commitment to his principles come before money or power. As a human rights activist, he has spoken out about genocide over the years, and recently joined Dr. Ben Carson and others in an effort to stop the genocide of Christians by ISIS. Perhaps now is just not a good time for other human rights activists to speak out, fearing it would put pressure on the President. Dr. West aside, President Obama needs to take a more decisive position on this atrocity.
I'm glad I saw him that night, it made me think more about the character that's required to stand firm on your principles. Here's Dr. West's response (in part) to the ever-bloviating Michael Dyson, whose hit piece in The New Republic is getting lots of attention.
Character assassination is the refuge of those who hide and conceal these issues in order to rationalize their own allegiance to the status quo. I am neither a saint nor prophet, but I am a Jesus-loving free Black man in a Great Tradition who intends to be faithful unto death in telling the truth and bearing witness to justice. I am not beholden to any administration, political party, TV channel or financial sponsor because loving suffering and struggling peoples is my point of reference. Deep integrity must trump cheap popularity. Nothing will stop or distract my work and witness, even as I learn from others and try not to hurt others.
Yeah, he's a good man.
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